How to enhance Vitality and the latest information about Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells, Platelet Rich Plasma and Sports Medicine
Monday, April 21, 2008
PRP Used in Chronic Knee Tendonitis
Please also visit our new website: Tendon Tips to view a story about Tiger Woods' recent knee surgery
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Friday, April 04, 2008
Platelet Rich Plasma on TV in Los Angeles
Link to TV Story
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Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Platelet Rich Plasma Basic Science
Sunday, March 16, 2008
More Evidence that PRP may heal Tendons
In this study the authors found that PRP releasate stimulated cell proliferation and total collagen production. It is an interesting article that adds to the growing body of PRP knowledge.
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Can Platelet-Rich Plasma Enhance Tendon Repair? A Cell Culture Study.
BACKGROUND: Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) application appears to improve tendon healing in traumatic tendon injuries, but basic knowledge of how PRP promotes tendon repair is needed. HYPOTHESIS: Platelet-rich plasma has a positive effect on cell proliferation and collagen production and induces the production of matrix-degrading enzymes and endogenous growth factors by human tenocytes. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Human tenocytes were cultured 14 days in 2% fetal calf serum medium complemented with 0%, 10%, or 20% vol/vol platelet-rich clot releasate ([PRCR] the active releasate of PRP) or platelet-poor clot releasate (PPCR). At day 4, 7, and 14, cell amount, total collagen, and gene expression of collagen Ialpha1 (COL1) and IIIalpha1 (COL3), matrix metalloproteinases ([MMPs] MMP1, MMP3, and MMP13), vascular endothelial-derived growth factor (VEGF)-A, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 were analyzed. RESULTS: Platelet numbers in PRP increased to 2.55 times baseline. Growth-factor concentrations of VEGF and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB were higher in PRCR than PPCR. Both PRCR and PPCR increased cell number and total collagen, whereas they decreased gene expression of COL1 and COL3 without affecting the COL3/COL1 ratio. PRCR, but not PPCR, showed upregulation of MMP1 and MMP3 expression. Matrix metalloproteinase 13 expression was not altered by either treatment. PRCR increased VEGF-A expression at all time points and TGF-beta1 expression at day 4. CONCLUSION: In human tenocyte cultures, PRCR, but also PPCR, stimulates cell proliferation and total collagen production. PRCR, but not PPCR, slightly increases the expression of matrix-degrading enzymes and endogenous growth factors. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In vivo use of PRP, but also of PPP to a certain extent, in tendon injuries might accelerate the catabolic demarcation of traumatically injured tendon matrices and promote angiogenesis and formation of a fibrovascular callus. Whether this will also be beneficial for degenerative tendinopathies remains to be elucidated. Am J Sports Med. 2008 Mar 7
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Platelet Rich Plasma Wins!
I propose we end the argument of what to name it and begin to define it in studies moving forward. The landscape of PRP is scattered at best. In order to figure out how best to use this important tool, we must agree on what we are talking about. Please see the post below for a definition that is published in the literature.
I am repeating the survey of what machine producing the best PRP. I'll post the results in a month.
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Wednesday, February 27, 2008
What is platelet rich plasma (PRP)?
I would add that PRP naturally is unactivated. In his paper, Dr. Marx states that activation of platelet results 70% of the stored growth factors being secreted with in 10 minutes and close to 100% within the first hour. That makes it clear that PRP should NOT be activated until it is ready to be used. As I have consistently suggested, PRP should not be activated at all except in vivo by the collagen that is abundant within most connective tissues.
Any comments on this paper would be appreciated.
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Sunday, February 10, 2008
PRP activates Circulating Cells
- The article referenced below discusses how locally injected PRP can mobilize cells to help heal a tendon. This provides solid mechanistic evidence to use PRP for tendon injuries and disorders and helps explain the positive clinical results. It is an excellent study and the authors have contributed significantly to our understanding of how PRP works.
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Platelet-rich plasma enhances the initial mobilization of circulation-derived cells for tendon healing.
Kajikawa Y, Morihara T, Sakamoto H, Matsuda KI, Oshima Y, Yoshida A, Nagae M, Arai Y, Kawata M, Kubo T.J. Cell Physiology Jan. 2008
Circulation-derived cells play a crucial role in the healing processes of tissue. In early phases of tendon healing processes, circulation-derived cells temporarily exist in the wounded area to initiate the healing process and decrease in number with time. We assumed that a delay of time-dependent decrease in circulation-derived cells could improve the healing of tendons. In this study, we injected platelet-rich plasma (PRP) containing various kinds of growth factors into the wounded area of the patellar tendon, and compared the effects on activation of circulation-derived cells and enhancement of tendon healing with a control group (no PRP injection). To follow the circulation-derived cells, we used a green fluorescent protein (GFP) chimeric rat expressing GFP in the circulating cells and bone marrow cells. In the PRP group, the numbers of GFP-positive cells and heat-shock protein (HSP47; collagen-specific molecular chaperone)-positive cells were significantly higher than in the control group at 3 and 7 days after injury. At the same time, the immunoreactivity for types I and III collagen was higher in the PRP group than in the control group at early phase of tendon healing. These findings suggest that locally injected PRP is useful as an activator of circulation-derived cells for enhancement of the initial tendon healing process. J. Cell. Physiol. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
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Wednesday, January 16, 2008
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery Article

Dr. Mishra's recent trip to Europe was featured in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery's Magazine: AAOS Now. The article titled "AAOS fellow takes European PRP Tour" was feature in the Jan. 2008 issue. The picture above is Dr. Mishra assisting on a platelet rich plasma enchanced achilles tendon repair in Sweden.
Click here to view AAOS Platelet Rich Plasma view article
Another sports medicine meeting in Chamonix France focusing on PRP will take place at the end of Jan 2008. Details of both meetings will be posted here soon.
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PRP Stimulates the greatest number of genes
"This study looked at gene expression patterns, DNA, and collagen content of equine tendon explants cultured (in vitro) with whole blood, plasma, and platelet-rich plasma," he continued. Concentrations of TGF-รข1 and PDGF were higher in PRP-treated tendons, compared to other blood products and bone marrow."
Schramme commented that all blood products stimulate gene expression, PRP seemed to stimulate the greatest number of genes (collagen types II and III, and COMP), with no c with no concomitant (accompanying) increase in molecules of harmful enzymes. "These findings support in vivo (in the live animal) investigation of 100% PRP as an autogenous (generated in the body), patient-side treatment for tendonitis," he noted. "It's another treatment that we need to carefully evaluate in vivo as it continues to come along.
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